Word Wide Open: The Fifth Sunday of Easter (C) - 5/15/22

First Reading (Acts 14:21-27)

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.

After Paul and Barnabas had proclaimed the good news

to that city

and made a considerable number of disciples,

they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.

They strengthened the spirits of the disciples

and exhorted them to persevere in the faith, saying,

“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships

to enter the kingdom of God.”

They appointed elders for them in each church and,

with prayer and fasting, commended them to the Lord

in whom they had put their faith.

Then they traveled through Pisidia and reached Pamphylia.

After proclaiming the word at Perga they went down to Attalia.

From there they sailed to Antioch,

where they had been commended to the grace of God

for the work they had now accomplished.

And when they arrived, they called the church together

and reported what God had done with them

and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why is it necessary to undergo hardships to get in to heaven? 

Second Reading (Revelation 21:1-5a)

A reading from the Book of Revelation.

Then I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth.

The former heaven and the former earth had passed away,

and the sea was no more.

I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem,

coming down out of heaven from God,

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race.

He will dwell with them and they will be his people

and God himself will always be with them as their God.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes,

and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain,

for the old order has passed away.”

The One who sat on the throne said,

“Behold, I make all things new.”

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What does God renewing the earth look like? 

Gospel (John 13:31-33a, 34-35)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John.

When Judas had left them, Jesus said,

“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

If God is glorified in him,

God will also glorify him in himself,

and God will glorify him at once.

My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.

I give you a new commandment: love one another.

As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.

This is how all will know that you are my disciples,

if you have love for one another.”

 

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What does loving one another like Christ look like? How do we know if someone is a disciple of Christ?